Joe is Getting the Word Out.

Good morning. First, a big thank you to all of you who worked the Republican booths at the many events around the area this weekend. I visited the Pitt and Wayne County Fairs this weekend as well as the “MumFest” in New Bern. I saw some old friends and made lots of new ones as our message of a return to conservative representation continues to resonate. Also, I’d like to remind those of you in the Greenville area that I will be a guest on “Talk of the Town”, TV7 and Talk1070 on Tuesday morning. Following the interview, I hope to meet as many of you as possible at the IHOP at 3010 S. Evans Street. I plan on being there around 9 and if you are in the area, I hope you will stop by and say hi.

Some good news for eastern North Carolina this past week as we found out the exact number of new Marines and Sailors that would be stationed in our area. Just less than 11,500 servicemen and women will be added to the ranks at Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point and New River. With them will be come an estimated 7000 family members. As an Onslow County Commissioner, I understand the infrastructure challenges associated with these new arrivals but I also recognize the important mission they are engaged in and welcome them with open arms. I’m proud to call home a place that houses so many warriors and patriots. They are currently engaged in the most important battle of our generation and if given the support, they will undoubtedly get the job done.

Every week there is more and more evidence that our message is resonating within the District and outside of it. This past week, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times spent a few days in the area, working on a feature story. I have no idea what the focus of the piece will be, but I was proud to introduce him to many of the fine people of Eastern North Carolina. We’ll give you a heads up when the story comes out later this week.

Finally, last week also saw a press release from the Alliance for Worker Freedom, an advocacy organization dedicated to the protection of workers rights and a special project of the fine folks over at Americans for Tax Reform. The press release, titled

Walter Jones Forgets What Side He’s On, had some familiar themes. Among them:

“Jones is not the same Republican he was in 1994”

“…Walter has strayed far from his Republican background.”

“…Walter Jones no longer represents the values of lower taxes and workers rights that North Carolinians want. Indeed, the voter of NC-3 did elect a Republican in 1994; they now have a Pelosi-Clinton style representative whose time is up. Jones’s seven terms have been nothing but a shift toward the left and it is time for someone new.”

The release also detailed Walter’s legislative record, noting his votes against the Republican leadership 67% of the time on key issues as well as his votes for millions of dollars in wasteful “pork barrel” spending including Jack Murtha’s mystery defense contractor and numerous other frivolous spending of your tax dollars.

The message is getting out and the curtain has been drawn back on our “Phony Republican” Congressman. His rhetoric will no longer go unchallenged.

Keep spreading the word and don't forget to log on to www.joeforcongress.com and get your bumper stickers. We've restocked our popular "Support Our Troops" stickers, the oval "JOE" stickers and of course, the new "Walter B. Jones Jr. - Phony Republican" bumper sticker. Let the world know you are part of the solution.

See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: : "America has no choice but to continue our efforts in Iraq. A precipitous withdrawal will unquestionably lead to chaos that would endanger the stability of the Middle East." Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, from his address to a convention of military journalists. We sure didn't hear that quote on CNN amidst the negatives that they hand-picked from his address.

Support Our Troops; Support Joe

For a large number of you, this is your first Monday Memo so “Welcome Aboard”. The publicity generated by our response to Walter Jones’ outrageous attack on Rush Limbaugh has led to over 175 new subscribers to our weekly campaign update in the last week alone.

Our first shipment of “Walter Jones: Phony Republican” bumper stickers will go out tomorrow to over 100 of you and I hope you will display them proudly, along with our Support Our Troops stickers and the popular OBX style oval JOE stickers.

One of my many stops this week in a full schedule of campaign events was the state convention of the North Carolina College Republicans in Raleigh. I was honored to be a featured speaker and encouraged by so many young people taking such an interest in the political process. In particular, it was great to see so many young people who have already decided to live their life guided by conservative principles.

There is an often quoted adage that goes something like “If a young man is not a liberal, he has no heart. If an old man is not a conservative, he has no head.” I would argue that although that may be true in many cases, the conservative movement has much more to offer our nations’ youth than the liberal way of thinking.

Just listen to any talk show that has a conservative and liberal debating. Tell me which one has the more positive outlook on life? Is it a conservative or a liberal who believes you have the ability to achieve your goals and that your lot in life is does not rely on a government program? When you hear the story of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is it the conservatives or the liberals who are judging the man on the content of his character, not the color of his skin?

I brought a positive message to the College Republicans this weekend and my overall campaign message is a positive one. This campaign is about change and it is my job to point out Walter Jones’ radical shift to the left in order to highlight the need for a change. But make no mistake: My campaign has a positive message for the future because a government run by conservative principles empowers its’ citizens to be all they can be.

I hope today you will take a moment to pause and reflect on why you are a conservative and why the principles that guide your life fit so nicely in to the conservative philosophy. It should reaffirm your political beliefs and help you again realize the great injustice being done by our Congressman by not representing the conservative principles of his district. He is not the same man we sent to Washington under the Contract with America because he is no longer a conservative.


See you on the campaign trail!
Joe

Quote of the Week: North Carolina Republican Rep. Walter Jones told FOX News late Monday that Limbaugh "went too far," and that he will sign on to Udall's resolution on Tuesday morning. Foxnews.com Tuesday October 02, 2007.
The Internet is the worst nightmare for a politician who flip-flops.

A Vote for "PRESENT" Is Not a Vote for the Future

If you have been keeping up with the headlines, you know that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in the U.S. and scheduled to speak at both the United Nations and Columbia University. Ahmadinejad’s request to visit the former site of the World Trade Center brought widespread condemnation and rightfully so. A little background on this man shows why. After rising from humble means to attain a PH.D in civil engineering, he took advantage of then relatively free Iranian society to help form the radical student group that took control of the American embassy in Tehran and held our American citizens hostage for 444 days.
Ahmadinejad moved on to be a member of the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, the mayor of Tehran and later, President. As leader of Iran, the country that once was our friend, Iran now has one of the most deplorable track records of any regime. Most disconcerting to the world currently is the evidence that Iran is pursuing the capability to produce a nuclear weapon. In addition, Ahmadinejad claims the Holocaust never happened and has called for the destruction of Israel as a nation. Iran has armed militant Shiites fighting US soldiers in Iraq, helped the Taliban in Afghanistan, supported Hezbollah in its bid to undermine the Lebanese government and backed anti-Israeli Palestinian groups labeled by the US as terrorists. Now how does this brief history lesson fit in to the Third Congressional District? Read on.
In June of this year, Congress voted on a resolution calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United Nations Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. As you would suspect, this was overwhelmingly supported on both sides of the political isle and passed by a vote of 411 to 2. Now thankfully, Walter Jones wasn’t one of the two, but he didn’t vote in favor either. He used his favorite legislative ploy when he has trouble taking a stand: he voted “PRESENT”. You might remember he also voted “PRESENT” on the GOP resolution calling for victory in the war on terror and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to prevailing in Iraq.
It is an embarrassment that our Congressman votes against the majority of his constituents, but even more embarrassing when he lacks the courage to actually cast a vote.
Friends, we need a Congressman who backs up his rhetoric on the campaign trail. Walter Jones talks about the courage it takes to oppose our President, but lacks the courage to oppose a tyrant. Walter Jones has been in Washington far too long and has formed alliances with liberals and conspiracy theorists to the point that he has lost all perspective. Only you can bring him back to reality.
So when you watch the news and see the universal outrage over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, remind your friends that Walter Jones lacked the courage to oppose him.
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "I am of the firm belief that we have done as much as we can do in Iraq."
Walter Jones, April 2006.
I suggest that Walter Jones talk to some of the Marines who have returned from Iraq recently. We've done wonders since April of 2006

District 3 Deserves a Man Like Joe McLaughlin

Let me first thank those of you who sent birthday wishes yesterday. At my age, 53, you tend to overlook your birthday but it was very nice to hear so many well wishes. It actually started on Saturday, as the nice folks in the Fairfield Harbor section of Craven County greeted me with birthday wishes as I spoke at their precinct meeting. I left with many new friends and supporters, energized with the enthusiasm that is generated with every event I attend.
Of course, many of you saw the front page article in the Raleigh News and Observer Sunday. It is yet another example of our message getting out. If you doubt it, read the quote from former State Party Chairman Ferrell Blount. “He is not the Walter Jones we elected in 1994.” Sound familiar?
It is also reassuring to see that when people take the time to look at the facts objectively, they discover that Walter Jones’ voting record is off base with his constituents on many more issues than support of the troops. His continued assertion that he is a conservative who believes in less government and less spending is laughable in the face of his voting record for some of the most outrageous pork projects in recent memory.
The article also addresses the rumor around Washington D.C. that Walter is considering a move back to his roots with a return to the Democratic Party. He has been openly courted by the liberal left and his voting record shows that it wouldn’t be a huge leap. You would think that if a so called conservative Republican were asked about switching to the Pelosi, Kennedy and Clinton controlled Democratic Party, the answer would be a resounding “No Chance!”. Well, in interview after interview, his answer is always hedged with comments like “At this point” or “At the present time”. In fact, read a portion of his most detailed answer on record from an article in The Hill, when asked earlier this year whether he was contemplating a switch. “I just take each day as it comes. I certainly think about where I will be a year or two or three years from now….” Jones said.
Is this the type of man we want representing us in Congress? Do we want a man who cannot make a commitment to his Party? Do we want a man who cannot make a commitment to support our troops, whether he agrees with the mission or not? Do we want a man who no longer represents the will of his constituents?
I think I know your answer to all these questions. I hear you say it each time I speak with you. Let there be no doubt: Joe McLaughlin will stand for the values that you stand for. I will defend your right to debate the issues surrounding the war, but never waver in support of the troops that are fighting that war. I will vote to uphold your strong values on the issues of sanctity of life and marriage, without hiding behind those conservative stances in order to mask a liberal voting record on almost all other key issues. I will demand that our borders be controlled and never vote for any legislation that would provide a fast-track to citizenship for those who entered this country illegally.
As your Congressman, I might sometimes disagree with my leadership, but I will never disgrace the Party of great men like Ronald Reagan by being a Republican in Name Only. There will never be articles written in newspapers asking questions about why I was voting with the liberal left and against the people I am supposed to represent. I will not sell out my principles in return from political favors from the liberal left.
It’s time we took our Congressional seat back. Whether Walter Jones runs as a Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated is no concern to me. The citizens of this district want a conservative and I will represent your conservative values. I just need your help to get there. Please keep spreading the word.
Link to the News and Observer Article
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/705713.html
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "The American people need to be assured that they have a government that supports the commander-in-chief as he seeks to protect our country."
Walter Jones, October 2002. How things have changed.

Happy Birthday Joe

Dear Friends,
Today is my husband Joe’s 53rd birthday. It will be spent like most days, splitting time between his #1 priority, his family, and what he views as his duty to the people of this district - his campaign to become your next Congressman.
Through 25 years of marriage, I’ve watched Joe serve our country as a soldier and a statesman, but I’ve never seen him more committed. He knows the challenges of this campaign and he’s attacked them in the same manner he does every challenge. He analyzes the task, formulates a plan and then gives it 100%.
I’m not as politically savvy as Joe, but I know what I see across the district, and I know what I see in our home - and it is very encouraging. Night after night, Joe comes home with stories from the campaign trail. Our phone rings off the hook with well-wishers. It’s hard to go shopping with him because he barely takes a step without someone stopping him to talk about the campaign. I’ve learned a lot about politics in the past few months and one of the most important things I’ve learned is that good people are willing to step forward for a good man.
I have been so moved by the stories of military men and women and their families who have stepped forward to thank Joe for standing up for them. At a time when so many of our troops are putting their lives on the line for this nation and our way of live, it is an honor to have their support and Joe will never forget them.
I ask you now if you would join me in helping Joe stand up for our brave men and women in uniform. I can think of know more special or important gift that you can deliver to Joe on his birthday, then your commitment to help him fight for our troops and for our conservative values. He tells me his campaign needs money now, as another reporting period ends this month. As he explained to me, these early reports are an important show of strength for a campaign and there may be no more important report than this one. Please consider making a donation to the campaign and help Joe in his efforts to bring true conservative leadership back to Congress.
You can contribute right now with your credit card at Joe’s website, www.joeforcongress.com/donate or if you prefer, send a check to his campaign treasurer. (His address is listed at the bottom of this email)
Please do this today. By giving today, you would help give Joe a great birthday present and would give his campaign time to process the donations so they meet this most important campaign deadline at the end of the month.
Thanks again for all your support. It is people like you who inspire Joe to spend the long hours involved in this campaign. He tells me often that he will do all he can but he can’t do it alone. Please contribute today and send Joe a birthday present that will help in his goal of serving you as your United States Congressman. www.joeforcongress.com/donate
Thanks again for helping my husband.
Sherrill McLaughlin

Joe Reflects on the Last Six Years

This will be an interesting few days and I hope all of you will keep an eye on the national news. Today and tomorrow, General David Petraeus will deliver a report to Congress on the progress of the war in Iraq. Some Congressmen are expecting his news to be positive as it relates to the military success of the troop surge and those vested in defeat are already questioning his character. I hope you will listen on your own and make informed opinions, but make no mistake: there are many in this Congress whose political futures rely on our defeat, not victory, in Iraq. Also remember that debate on the war is a positive function of our Constitutional Republic, but their can be no wavering in the support of our troops when they are in harm’s way.
It’s hard to look at the calendar this morning and not think about the date tomorrow. None of us can ever look at the date September 11 again without thinking of the tragic events of that day. But today, I’d like to take a minute not to focus on the tragedy, but on the resolve that was shown by the American people in the aftermath.
The terrorists who boarded those planes that September morning had a vision of what America would be like following their deadly mission. They envisioned a nation that would be fractured and weak. They pictured a nation whose spirit would be broken by an attack on America soil. That was a major flaw in their plan and in fact, some learned it even before their deaths.
The terrorists who took control of flight 93 that September morning had never expected average citizens to rise from their seats and attempt to retake control of that plane. They expected to fly an airliner into another target in Washington D.C. and bring a nation to their knees. Instead, the plane crashed into remote Pennsylvania farmland, in an ultimate show of American resolve.
The terrorists’ long term mission was a failure. Six years later, we are a nation that flies our flag more often and with more pride. We take moments not only to honor our military that have given the ultimate sacrifice, but we also honor those who are still among us and thank them for their service every time we get the opportunity.
I ask you to remind yourself and others who will inevitably discuss the topic in the next 48 hours that we have not suffered another attack since 9/11. If you remember the days following the attacks, it was a foregone conclusion that we would see more. This is a huge success of the Bush administration that rarely receives a mention.
The War on Terror has not been without its’ problems. (I challenge you to find any war that goes exactly as planned.) It seems many in our nation have slept so comfortably for so many years under the blanket of peace that they have forgotten the realities of war. Unfortunately, loss of life is part of war but it is a sacrifice those who serve understand is a possibility they must deal with on a daily basis.
So as we approach six years since the attacks of 9/11, I ask you to pay your respects to the fallen, but do not forget the aftermath. Focus on the American Spirit that rose from the smoke at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and on a farm in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Because today, we know more than ever before that the mission of the terrorists who took control of those planes was a failure. Their mission was to break our spirit and I’m proud to say the American spirit has never been stronger.
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
PS..I'd like to invite any of you in the Kinston area to attend the monthly meeting of the Lenoir County GOP tonight. I have been invited to speak and look forward to seeing many of you there at King’s Restaurant at 7pm.

Hear About Joe from Joe

On this Labor Day morning, I will deviate from our normal format to address an important issue.

I have already heard the outrage from many of you about the ads playing on talk radio stations in Eastern North Carolina. These ads are produced and purchased by the ultra-liberal Democratic front group, called VoteVets.org and they are praising Congressman Walter Jones for his stance “in support of our troops”. That’s right…. A group that spent almost a million dollars last election running attack ads against Republican Congressmen is now running an ad in support of Walter Jones. Anyone who still has doubt about Walter Jones’ shift to the liberal left need only do a little research about this group that now supports him.

For starters, they have championed Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign on national TV, with their Chairman calling her the candidate that “has all the attributes of a strong Commander in Chief”. Just let that scenario sink in for a moment.

VoteVets.org drew heavy criticism in the 2006 elections for running blatantly misleading ads that falsely accused Republicans of voting against body armor for troops and providing American forces with flak vests that were leftovers from the Vietnam War. They even have the nerve to start the ad by saying that their spokesman, retired Major General John Batiste, is a “proud Republican”. This is almost comical considering the fact that Batiste advocated for a Democratic take-over of the Congress in 2006, evidenced by his quote in Salon.com as saying, “The best thing that can happen right now is for one or both of our houses to go Democratic….”

Maybe most disturbing is some of the language used in this ad to reference to our brave troops. One line says that our troops are “killing and dying” in Iraq. Killing? This is a poor and offensive choice of words for men and women who are doing their duty.

Another line in the commercial says that politicians are “breaking our great Army and Marine Corps”. Breaking? Although I respect Gen. Batiste’s service to our nation, I would challenge him to walk up to a Marine in Iraq and call them “broken”.

Friends, we must respond to this outrage. I don’t have these liberal groups with their unlimited bank accounts to run ads for me. I count on people just like you. My campaign would like to air a response to this outrageous ad but I can’t do it without your help.

Won’t you consider making a donation to my campaign today? We will use these funds to purchase radio commercials on the same stations that are currently airing these outrageous ads. As little as $100 will purchase 4 ads and as you listen, you will know that you made a difference in setting the record straight.

Please go to my website at www.joeforcongress.com/donate and use your credit card to make a donation. If you wish to send a check, please send it directly to my treasurer so we can get these ads on the air as quickly as possible.

See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: "It pisses me off. They don't understand. We enlisted after 9/11. We want to be here."

Lance Corporal Robert Lamica, a Marine serving in a combat zone in Iraq, when asked by a reporter how he and other Marines feel about politicians who say they "support the troops" but not the war.

Joe Knows Immigration Reform

The campaign made National news again last week and I can’t thank you enough for all of your support. The article featured in Politico was picked up by a wide variety of news sources including USA Today and US News and World Report. More importantly, you forwarded it to countless numbers of your friends and neighbors. The response was overwhelming as people flocked to the website to find out more about our campaign. We had the largest week of signups to the Monday Memo, so to those of you who are new here, we’re continuing a series where I give my stance on the issues that matter most to you and compare them to the record of Congressman Walter Jones. Previously, we’ve looked at taxes & spending and today I wanted to touch on immigration.

This is one of the most talked about topics in American politics and I’m asked about it everywhere I go. My answer is short and direct: We cannot address the immigration crisis in our nation until or borders are controlled.

As your Congressman, I will never support legislation that gives a fast track to citizenship to those who are in this country illegally. This goes against the very fabric of our nation and is an insult to all those who are currently working within the system to attain the dream of so many across the globe, American citizenship. Also, I will not support government programs that use your tax dollars to give aid to those who have come to this country illegally.

Where does Walter Jones stand on this issue? Congressman Jones has been a vocal supporter of securing our borders, but as is the case with so many issues, his recent votes don’t reflect that stance.

Many of you remember the highly controversial agricultural funding bill that came before the House earlier this month. Republicans had supported an amendment to that bill that would have barred illegal aliens from receiving taxpayer funded benefits. Initially, the bill passed but am unethical procedural maneuver by the Democrat leadership overturned the vote, causing an uproar on the House floor and a walk-out by Republicans. Most Republicans refused to return to the floor to vote on the bill which still included your tax money going to illegal aliens. However, Walter Jones not only came to the floor to vote but sided with the liberal leadership in support of this bill. It is yet another example of his actions in Washington not lining up with what he tells us here in North Carolina.

We must have a Congressman who practices what he preaches. I will not sell my votes to the liberal leadership in hopes of gaining political trinkets for my district.

Please continue to forward this memo to friends and neighbors and remember that this is YOUR campaign. It will not succeed without your support.

See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: "Walter Jones' rethoric does not line up with his voting record."

David Keating, Executive Director for The Club for Growth, last week during a radio interview talking about Walter Jones' abysmal voting record when it comes to wasteful spending.

Joe Speaks Out Against Government Waste

In last Monday’s memo, I talked about my views on taxes and spending, comparing them with the record of Walter Jones. This morning, I’d like to give you my views on tax increases, the tax code and a follow up to last week’s discussion on wasteful spending.

During my recent trip to Washington D.C., I was proud to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge during a meeting with Americans for Tax Reform. This was a commitment to you, the citizens, to oppose any and all tax increases. Walter Jones signed this pledge and broke it during this past Congressional session. My word is my bond and I will never break the pledge, or the trust of the people of Eastern North Carolina.

As I travel the Third District, I hear uniform disenchantment with our current tax code. The fact that law abiding citizens wonder if they are breaking the law when they sign their tax return is testament to just how confusing the tax code is. Polls indicate that citizens fear an IRS audit more than a mugging. (Some would argue you couldn’t tell the difference) There are several ideas floating around Washington, including a “Flat Tax” and the so called “Fair Tax”. As your Congressman, I will seriously consider all options, because it is time for a change.

Finally, last Monday’s memo mentioned Walter Jones’ abysmal score (18%) on the Club for Growth’s “RePork Card” and it generated a firestorm of response. Many of you went to the Club for Growth’s website (www.clubforgrowth.org) and saw for yourself not only the scores, but details on what your taxpayer money was used for.

Here are a few of the projects our Congressman voted to fund.

$200,000 for a Lobster Institute

$628,843 for grape genetics research

$878,046 for the Catfish Pathogen Genomic Project

$50,000 for the National Mule and Packers Museum

$129,000 for the home of the "perfect Christmas tree" project

Why would our “Conservative” Congressman vote for wasteful projects like these? Walter knows he must bring home some funding to the Third District in hopes of appeasing the natives who are obviously restless due to his shift to the political left. The only way to get funding for his pet projects is to vote for the Democrats' projects. Don’t believe me?

During an appearance in Kinston last Monday, Walter bragged of his relationship with liberal Democrat Charlie Rangle. Why would the ultra-liberal Rangle befriend a Republican? Maybe it was because Walter voted to appropriate $2,000,000 for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service in New York City. Two Million Dollars!

Friends, if you’re looking for a Congressman who will sell out their principals to try to bribe you with pork, you’ve got your man in Walter Jones. However, if you’re ready for a Congressman who will fight to put an end to wasteful spending, then I’m your man.

Sorry, but the lobsters, grapes, mules and catfish will just have to suffer. See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: "I want that camera turned off before I take questions from the floor!"

Walter Jones, last week, demanding at a public meeting that a video camera be turned off before he opened the floor up for questions. Wonder what he is so nervous about?

Mr. McLaughlin Goes to Washington!

Last week I spent two busy days in Washington D.C. and I have to tell you, the trip left me even more convinced we are on the right path.

The schedule was packed full of meetings with conservative leaders and activists, from whom I felt privileged to hear their views on the campaign and share my vision of being the next Congressman to represent the Third District. I thought I’d spend the next few Mondays sharing with you my views on some of the topics discussed in Washington and how those views compare to the record of my expected primary opponent, Walter B. Jones Jr.

The most often talked about issue in Washington was spending & taxes. We'll start off this series with a look at spending. Despite Walter Jones’ constant talk of being a fiscal conservative, his voting record tells a different story.

The Club for Growth is a national network of thousands of Americans, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom. The club has an excellent website at www.clubforgrowth.org where you can view their 2007 Congressional RePork Card. This is a listing of how members of Congress voted on the 50 “Anti-Pork” Amendments that were put forward this year. There you will find some examples of the outrageous appropriations of taxpayer dollars and then details as to which Congressmen voted to leave this wasteful spending in the budget by voting against these amendments. It is encouraging to see that 16 Congressmen, all Republicans, voted for every one of the 50 Amendments. The average score for Republicans was 43%. The average score for Democrats was 2%. Do you think our “conservative” Congressman’s score fell closer to the Democrats or Republicans? Well, Walter Jones scored an embarrassing 18%! Jones’ vote in favor of wasteful spending and siding with the Democrat leadership was 39 of 50! Does that sound like the voting record of a conservative?

Unlike Jones’, I will not engage in paying off my political friends with special “earmarks” to fund their pet projects using your tax dollars. I have the fortitude to stand firm in my commitment to reduce wasteful spending and make sure that as many of your tax dollars stay where they belong: In your pocket. Hopefully, Americans will come to their senses next year and reestablish a Republican majority in both chambers and that majority will learn from the mistakes of the past and make the same fiscal commitments I have just made. However, even if the Democrats are still in control, I will not sacrifice my principles in hopes of getting payback in the form of a larger office, a better parking space or a few “trinkets” for the folks back home. After 13 years as a Washington insider, Walter Jones has sold you out. I never will never forget the people of my district and turn my back on them as he has.

Please continue to forward this email to as many people as you can. Keep spreading the word that it’s time for a change.

See you on the campaign trail!

Joe


Quote of the Week: "Those earmarks equal one thing: unnecessary pork barrel spending. In 1994 I promised to come to Washington and do my best to eliminate this kind of wasteful spending, not expand it. While the Constitution allows the Congress to make expenditures on behalf of the American people, especially in times of war, the amount of spending in this bill goes far beyond the scope of anything envisioned by our founding fathers."

Walter B. Jones Jr., Dec. 8, 2003, explaining why he voted against the Republican Omnibus spending bill. How times have changed.